"awful"

After being turned away from the assessment centre several times over a 10 day period (contractions, check, pain, check, braxton hicks - don't think so), was finally admitted to labour ward, was left alone most of the time, midwife was poiite but busy. Everything then began to go wrong, room was full of various consultants, but no-one told me what was happening to my baby.

After lots of blood tests, moitoring on CTG machine, strapped to the bed (which I didn't want) drugs that didn't work, rude aneasthetist, epidural that didn't work, I had to have emergency c-section. Transferred to maternity ward after birth. Ward was dirty and crowded. (blood on toilet and shower floor, anyone?). No-one read my notes, am allergic to some meds (ie, the meds they were giving me). No-one to help me pick up daughter, help me to bathroom, no-one to help me full stop. Only got pain reiief when I begged for it.

Midwife in charge of my care was unbelievable rude, abrupt and frankly, didn't care about me or my baby. Family members begged to stay to help, as I was obviously in some pain and feeling quite poorly. They were forcefully told 'no', and made to leave.

Sent home less that 48 hours after c-section, exhausted and in pain.

Notes I was sent home with bore absolutely no reflection on what happened, I don't even think they were mine. They had even put down the incorrect name for my baby.

Whole thing was unbelievable and terrifying.

What could be improved

Where would you like me to start?

Anything else?

Since my traumatic ordeal, I understand conditions have improved at the hospital. To be fair to them, in the months since I had my baby, senior staff at the hopsital have gone out of their way to help me recover, and have explained what went wrong, how they have improved it, and have also accepted that certain events were preventable and should never have happened.

Responses

I would like to apologise for the delay in replying to your email. I was very concerned to hear about your experience and would like to know more. If you feel able to contact me, I would appreciate if you did this via anne.bridson@lwh.nhs.uk

I know that senior staff have been in touch with you at the time but just wanted you to know that if you wanted to discuss further what happened I would appreciate you getting in touch with me. My email address is anne.bridson@lwh.nhs.uk I am the Matron for Patient Experience